Side-impact crash structure

Abstract

A side-impact crash structure may be positioned proximate an end of a vehicle to reduce impact forces imparted to an occupant during a side collision. The side-impact crash structure may include energy absorbers positioned on lateral sides of the vehicle between the passenger compartment and a longitudinal end of the vehicle. The energy absorbers may be configured to absorb impact forces over a limited ride-down distance (the distance over which the deceleration occurs) to prevent damage to both the occupants and one or more components or systems of the vehicle. The energy absorbers can be configured to deform along an oblique axis of the vehicle under a compressive force. The side-impact crash structure may include one or more load spreaders disposed between the energy absorbers that disperse the impact force to other portions of the vehicle.

1 . A side-impact crash structure for a vehicle comprising:
 an elongated cross-member configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of a vehicle drive assembly configured at the vehicle; and   an energy absorber configured at an end of the elongated cross-member, the energy absorber comprising a side wall and multiple cells, wherein the side wall is configured to extend laterally to the vehicle at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle drive assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drive assembly is detachably affixed to the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 1 , wherein a second energy absorber is configured at a second end of the elongated cross-member. 
     
     
         4 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drive assembly comprises one or more of an axle, a motor, a gearbox, or a drivetrain component. 
     
     
         5 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drive assembly is detachably affixed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a load spreading structure coupling the energy absorber to the elongated cross-member. 
     
     
         7 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorber is coupled to a mounting plate configured at the end of the elongated cross-member. 
     
     
         8 . An energy absorber for use in a side-impact crash structure, the energy absorber comprising:
 an outer circumferential wall defining a perimeter of the energy absorber, the outer circumferential wall having a proximal end and a distal end;   multiple cells disposed within the outer circumferential wall;   an inboard edge disposed at the proximal end of the outer circumferential wall and configured for attachment to a vehicle drive assembly configured at a vehicle; and   an outboard edge disposed at the distal end of the outer circumferential wall and proximate to an axle of the vehicle, wherein the outer circumferential wall is configured to extend laterally to the vehicle at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle drive assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The energy absorber of  claim 8 , wherein the energy absorber is coupled to a battery casing detachably affixed to the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The energy absorber of  claim 9 , wherein the battery casing is coupled to a body of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The energy absorber of  claim 9 , wherein the battery casing is coupled to the vehicle at an end of a vehicle passenger compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The energy absorber of  claim 8 , wherein the inboard edge configured for attachment to the vehicle drive assembly comprises the inboard edge configured for attachment to a vehicle drive assembly frame of the vehicle drive assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The energy absorber of  claim 8 , wherein the vehicle drive assembly comprises the axle and a battery casing, and wherein the energy absorber is coupled laterally outboard of the battery casing. 
     
     
         14 . The energy absorber of  claim 8 , wherein the energy absorber is configured between wheels configured at the axle. 
     
     
         15 . A side-impact crash structure for a vehicle comprising:
 an elongated cross-member configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of an axle configured at the vehicle; and   an energy absorber configured at an end of the elongated cross-member, the energy absorber comprising a side wall and multiple cells, wherein the side wall is configured to extend laterally to the vehicle at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the axle.   
     
     
         16 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 15 , wherein the energy absorber is coupled to a mounting plate configured at the end of the elongated cross-member. 
     
     
         17 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated cross-member is a drive assembly cross-member. 
     
     
         18 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 15 , wherein the energy absorber is configured substantially between a door of the vehicle and the axle. 
     
     
         19 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 15 , wherein the energy absorber is configured at least partially behind a wheel configured at the axle. 
     
     
         20 . The side-impact crash structure of  claim 15 , wherein a second energy absorber is configured at a second end of the elongated cross-member.